Many magazine editors coming to Tacoma to review, rank vintage bikes at August event

TACOMA, Wash. (July 1, 2013) – The Meet at ACM – Vintage Motorcycle Festival is bringing together a “who’s who” of the motorcycle publishing industry to serve as judges for the August 24-25 motorcycle event in Tacoma, Wash.

On Saturday, Aug. 24, more than 300 vintage motorcycles are expected to participate, divided into classes with judges awarding trophies for first, second and third prize in each category. A Best of Show winner will be selected by the judging panel from those motorcycles named Best in Class.

“The judges have to be extremely thorough to select or rank one motorcycle over another,” said Scot Keller, chief marketing and communications officer for ACM. “The judges must pay particular attention to detail and have intimate knowledge of the brands and products in order to differentiate one great bike from another.”

Here is a partial list of the motorcycle experts, most of whom are motorcycle industry editors and will serve as judges for The MEET at ACM:

Chief Judge, David Edwards, Bike Craft

Richard Backus, Motorcycle Classics

Clement Salvadori, Rider Magazine

Robert Smith, Canadian Biker

David Searle, Motorcycle Consumer News

Ian Kerr, UK Bike

Bob Henig, Bob’s BMW Motorcycles

Peter Nettesheim, owner of BMW Motorcycle Museum

Randy Rietman, Japanese motorcycle restorer

Henig and Nettesheim will be on hand to judge the class dedicated to BMW, which will be the event’s ‘featured marque.” The decision to spotlight the Munich-based motorcycle manufacturer coincides with the 90th anniversary of BMW Motorrad.

In addition to class awards, special trophies will also be handed out, including the ACM “President’s Award,” five “Judges’ Choice” trophies and one prize for the “Best Dealer Display.”

The festival’s main event on Saturday will include the judging and awards, plus a swap meet, trials motorcycle demonstrations, precision riding by the Seattle Cossacks motorcycle acrobatics team, speed-tuning panel discussions and music. A scenic loop motorcycle ride launching from ACM’s plaza and traveling along Pacific Northwest roads is on tap for Sunday. Riders will return to the Showfield for an early afternoon barbeque lunch.

The Meet at ACM – Vintage Motorcycle Festival is one of the annual signature events at the 165,000 square-foot Tacoma museum. Along with the listed classes, other motorcycles from famous makers will include Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Indian and Triumph, plus several European marques will be on display.

The inaugural event in 2012 attracted more than 200 motorcycles and 2,000 enthusiasts to ACM’s Haub Family Field. Last year’s Best of Show winner, a 1963 Norton Atlas owned by Ron Rumbolz of Fife, Wash., is currently on display at the museum.

More details about The MEET at ACM – Vintage Motorcycle Festival are available on the museum’s website at www.lemaymuseum.org.

State Farm Presents LeMay – America’s Car Museum, which opened June 2, 2012 in downtown Tacoma, Wash., explores how the automobile has fulfilled a distinctive role at the core of the American experience and shaped our society. The spacious Museum with rotating exhibits is designed to be the centerpiece for automotive history as well as an educational center and library. The campus, located adjacent to the Tacoma Dome, contains a 3.5-acre show field, theatre, café, banquet hall and meeting facilities. For more information on museum hours, becoming an ACM member, volunteer opportunities or to make a donation, visit www.lemaymuseum.org.